How To Manage Urinary Incontinence

10 November 2023  |  Admin

Welcome to the Cheeky guide on managing urinary incontinence. Here at Team Cheeky, we've been all about Simple Reusables since 2008 and during that time we've spoken to thousands of people with urinary incontinence.

We understand that it can be embarrassing and difficult to talk about, but we chat about pee, poo and periods all day long. Nothing is TMI!

Leaking urine is a common condition which can affect individuals of all ages and backgrounds, but the good news is that there are various ways to manage it effectively.

In this blog, we'll explore the main causes, common symptoms, and several practical tips for managing urinary incontinence. Before we dive into the details, let's first understand what urinary incontinence is and what might cause it.

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a condition where individuals experience a strong urge to urinate or unintentional urine leakage.

This can be caused by a variety of factors, and it may manifest differently in each person.

Common causes include weak pelvic floor muscles, certain medications, hormonal changes, and obesity.

Common Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence

The symptoms of urinary incontinence can vary depending on the severity and types of urinary incontinence.

Some common symptoms include urine leakage, frequent urination, involuntary urination, and incomplete bladder emptying. Let's take a closer look at common symptoms or urinary incontinence:

  • Urine Leakage: This is the hallmark symptom, where a small amount of urine escapes when you don't want it to.
  • Frequent Urination: The urge to urinate more often than usual, even during the night
  • Involuntary Urination: Sudden and uncontrollable urine leaks, often triggered by a specific event, like coughing or sneezing.
  • Incomplete Bladder Emptying: A feeling that you haven't quite emptied your bladder after urinating, which can then lead to overflow incontinence

 

"Excellent products, my 7 year old is incontinent due to sensory issues, she wears the children's incontinence pants and boosters everyday to school, they are comfortable, absorbent, and prevent any potential embarrassment for her��" Trustpilot Review

 

How To Manage Urinary Incontinence

Managing urinary incontinence involves a combination of lifestyle changes, behavioral strategies, and, in some cases, medical interventions. Let's explore some effective ways to manage this condition.

Here's how to manage urinary incontinence:

  1. Pelvic Floor Training (Kegels)
  2. Bladder Training
  3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
  4. Use Incontinence Products
  5. Medications or Surgery
  6. Avoid Caffeine and alcohol

"I already had a few of the fearless superlight incontinence pads. I use these as panty liners and they are really great for that. I bought some more as I kept running out of them before they came back from the washing pile.

They are the best at staying in place. They don't slip and don't spin round your pants. As usual, the customer service from Cheeky Wipes is great." Trustpilot Review

1. Pelvic Floor Training (Kegels)

Pelvic floor training, commonly known as Kegel exercises, can significantly help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and control urine flow.

Doing these exercises regularly can improve bladder control for mixed incontinence. Studies have shown that Kegels can be successful in reducing incontinence symptoms.

2. Bladder Training

Bladder training involves creating a bladder diary and schedule to gradually increase the time between bathroom visits to pass urine.

This can be very helpful for an overactive bladder. It helps train your bladder to hold more urine and reduces the urgency and frequency of urination.

"Bought the smallest size for "light incontinence", found them too small/ineffective, so bought the next size up. Slightly shocked by the much larger size, but they are comfortable in wear, absorb better, and are a good buy. Press studs are very firm, can be a bit tricky to undo, but you get used to them."

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Losing weight, if you're currently overweight, can reduce the pressure on your bladder, leading to an improvement in incontinence symptoms. Research suggests a strong link between obesity and urinary incontinence.

4. Use Incontinence Products

Incontinence products, such as pads, pants, and bed pads, provide comfort and security for those managing incontinence.

Cheeky Wipes AU offers a range of eco-friendly, cost-effective, and leak-free incontinence products that can help you feel more confident and comfortable.

We have a range of washable incontinence pants, panty liners, bed pads and other products.

"I first contacted customer service for their advice and received a very quick and very helpful reply. On their suggestion I ordered bed pads, with wings. Although they are meant for incontinence, they have proved to be perfect for my night sweats due to my illness. I can't thank everyone enough."

5. Medications or Surgery

In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe medication to manage incontinence symptoms. For severe cases or when other methods have proven ineffective, medical interventions or surgical procedures might be recommended.

In the UK, Botox has been reportedly very helpful for some women suffering with overactive bladder, although it can potentially have side effects which should be discussed with your Doctor..

6 Avoid Caffeine and alcohol

Both caffeine and alcohol are potential bladder stimulants. Switching to decaffeinated tea and coffee is an easy switch if done gradually over a number of weeks. Cutting down on alcohol should also be considered if little leaks are impacting your daily life.

We hope this was useful and informative for you. As we explained earlier, our team all use the products themselves and will be happy to answer any questions you have, just contact us. If you found this interesting you may also enjoy these:

 

 

 

About the Author: Helen Rankin founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. 4 kids later, internal period protection was no longer suitable for her and she went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include period pants and reusable incontinence products.

The Cheeky customer services team pride themselves on providing honest, friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long, helping people make the switch to reusables! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021.

 

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